Beginning January 1, 2007, parents may be eligible for a $500 tax credit if they have children under the age of 16 enrolled in physical activity programs. The credit, announced as part of the federal government’s spring budget, would apply to program or registration fees.
This initiative is a great step toward promoting children’s fitness and preventing childhood obesity, but what remains uncertain is exactly which physical activity and leisure time pursuits will be eligible for the tax break.
A three-member panel lead by Dr. Khristinn Kellie Leitch, an Ontario Pediatric surgeon and chairwoman of the panel on the children’s fitness tax credit, has been tasked with determining that eligibility criteria.
They have recently completed a series of meetings with parent groups, sports and arts associations and health specialists across Canada and their recommendations will go to the Minister of Finance.
Organized sports such as soccer and hockey seem like obvious inclusions, but uncertainty surrounds activities like dance, cycling, various music and arts lessons, memberships in Boy Scouts or Girl Guides and membership in the YMCA.
And what about good old-fashioned unstructured play? Should that not be encouraged and rewarded as well?
The Fitness Industry Council of Canada hopes to see the children’s tax credit extended to adults as well. The Council’s You Deserve a Tax Break campaign is calling on the government to make adult gym memberships tax deductible. If implemented, these mandates could help remove ‘expense’ as a barrier to physical activity for both children and adults.
For more information visit:
http://www.fin.gc.ca/news06/06-035e.html#Expert
